Signal buoy



E. WILCKENS May 7, 1929.

SIGNAL BUOY Filed May 26, 1928 hvvemrag Patented May 7, 1929.

U'NlT'ED S A ERNST WILCKENS, or BERLIN, GERMANY.

SIGNAL BUOY.

Application filed May 26, 1928, Serial No. 280,947, and in Germany June 2, 1927. I

This invention relates-to buoys and similar .fioating bodies fitted with acoustical signalling means, more particularly signalling means of a submarine nature, that is to say, wherein the sound-generating section is s tuated below water. j

. In the operation of signalling apparatus of this type, and in particular when fitted on floating objects which are not manned, absolute reliability in action'is a matter of the greatest importance, since the same are naturally intended to enhance the safety of navigation.

Various forms of construction have already been proposed without, however, it having been successful in discovering anarrangement which pays sufficient consideration 'to the actual conditions prevailing in practice.

Acoustical signalling apparatus'of the submarine type for use with buoys, etc. are well known, in which a bell firmly mounted inthe buoy is adapted to be operated by means of compressed gas or by the action of the sea. In the same manner it has already been proposed to employ in place of a bell diaphragms which are struck by a clapper. These arrangements, however, have proved to be very inefficient owing to the occurrence of frequent disturbances in conjunction with the movable parts, which disturbances are inaccessible and extremely diflicult to remedy due to the strong construction necessary to resist the sea.

Now the subject matter of the present invention differs from these known. arrangements by reason of the fact that on the one hand the signalling apparatus, despite the firm construction, is made to be readily accessible, while on the other hand in place of an apparatus actuated by the manipulation of blows a so-called continuously excited aparatus is employed.

The advantage of this arrangement resides in the fact that what will be termed the sender"does not possess itself any parts subject to friction and consequent wear, while the man in charge visiting the buoy from time to time to replenish the gas is enabled to inspect the signalling apparatus, and if necessary overhaul the same or effect a replacement.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing; in which, 7

Fig. 1 shows in diagrammatical form one form of embodiment of a buoy according to this invention;

13 a nut 15.

' Fig. 2 is a modification.

Referring to Fig. 1, the buoy 1 is furnished witha platform 2intended for the man in charge when visiting the buoy to renew the gas supply, or attend to the illuminant, as the case'may be. In this platform 2 is provided a guide pipe 3, which passes through the float land terminates within the tail pipe 4;. A signalling apparatus-or sender 5 1S rigidly connected to the guide pipe 3 by means of its conical portion. The Conical portion 6 acts as guide and stop for the sender 5 in operation. The sender is fed, as operating medium, with compressed gas through the pipe 7. As the gas is consumed the same is able to escape through a pressure valve provided on thesender, or through a second pipe 8. If in place of compressed gasor air electricity is employedas the primary energy, the electric leads and return wires take the place of the pipes. In the tail pipe are provided various recesses and openings 9, in

order to have within thepi'pe water of the same nature and condition as on the exterior. A spindle 10, which may be operated by the hand wheel 11, presses the sender arrangement, by means of the lever 12, firmly in the conical portion, so that by releasing the pressure on the spindle the sender may be lifted by means of a rope, or if the air pipes 7 and 8 are sufliciently strongly constructed by means of these, on to the platform situated above water, where the same is readily accessible for attention.

A modified form of embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. In this case the pipe 3 leading to the sender 5 is situated for example in the centre axis of the float 1. The sender 5 is connected with a small pipe or tube 3, which possesses at its upper end in addition to a thread By means of this nut 15 the pipe or tube 3, and together therewith the sender 5, may be firmly connected'with the float 1. The pipe or tube 8f at the same time also acts as carrier for the air pipe 14, which is situated either on the exterior or, preferably, within the same. The air pipe 14; in

conjunction with the pipe or tube 3 may act as feed and discharge-system for the operating air orgas. This particular construction enables all movable piping subject to rapid decay to be dispensed with, so that after merely removing the nut 15 and the air connection on the platform the sender 5 may be lifted up together with the pipe or tube 3. If the senderarrangement is particularly heavy, a

special chain or other means may be employed for hoisting the sender.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An acoustical signalling buoy comprising a floating body, a platform on the upper side of said floating body, a tail pipe on the lower part of said body, a conduit communicating said platform and said tail pipe, an acoustical signalling device in said conduit in the part terminating in said tail pipe,

and means connected to said signalling de vice and operable from the platform for securing said signal device to and removing the same from said buoy.

2. An acoustical signalling buoy comprising a floating body, a conduit extending through said body and terminating beloW the Water level, an acoustical signal device in the lower part of said conduit, and means connected to said signalling device and operable from the upper extremity of said conduit for securing said signal device to and removing the same from said buoy.

3. An acoustical signalling buoy comprising a floating body, a tail pipe disposed on the lower part of said body, a conduit eX- tending through said body and terminating into said tail pipe, an acoustical signalling device in said tail pipe, means connected to said signalling device and operable from the upper extremity of said conduit for securing said signal and removing the same from said tail pipe. 7

l. An acoustical signalling buoy comprising a floating body, a tail pipe disposed on the lower part of said body, a conduit extending through said body and terminating "ith said tail pipe, an acoustical signalling device in said tail pipe, and means connected to said signalling device and operable from the upper extremity of said conduit for securing said signal and removing the same from said tail pipe, said tail pipe having'a plurality of apertures in the part surrounding said signal device.

5. An acoustical signalling buoy comprising a floating body, a platform on the upper side of said floating body, a tail pipe on the lower part of said body, a conduit communi- (rating said platform and said tail pipe, an acoustical signalling device in said conduit in the part terminating in said tail pipe, means connected to said signalling device and operable from the platform for securing said signal device to and removing the same from said buoy, and feed lines in said conduit connected to said signallingdevice.

In testimony whereof I have aiiixed my signature.

EnNsT WILCKENS. 

